Michael Mason, Musician-Episode #340

Making a return for his third appearance on StoryBeat is the great jazz and world flutist, Michael Mason.  Michael’s been a professional musician and composer for forty years, while simultaneously working in the fire service of the Downers Grove, Illinois Fire Department, recently retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. Michael is one of the first responders from the Chicago area who flew to New York City just days after the destruction of the World Trade Center. He helped the New York City Fire Department and Port Authority for many weeks. 

In 2024, Michael released his latest album called “Luminosity,” which follows up 2023’s, “Impermanence,” “Transcendence” in 2022, and “Human Revolution” in 2021. All are original jazz and world music compositions which received approval for voting from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for Grammy Award consideration.

Michael’s musical influences come from James Newton, Ian Anderson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Sun Ra, Yusef Lateef, and James Galway.

I’ve listened multiple times to each of his excellent records and can tell you Michael’s impressive work will instantly soothe your soul with warm, beautiful melodies, gorgeous arrangements, and Michael’s brilliance on the flute.  I highly recommend you check out his wonderful recordings and music.

Michael’s currently in the studio mixing 8 new songs for release in 2025 on the AVG Records label, so be sure to look out for that.

Michael’s been gracious enough to lend us his radiant composition, Moments from Luminosity. Please be sure to stick around at the end of the show to give it a listen.